rhizomorph

[rahy-zuh-mawrf]

noun

Mycology.

1. a cordlike fusion of hyphae that leads certain fungi across various substrates like a root through soil.

rhizomorph

/ ˈraɪzəʊˌmɔːf /

noun

1. a rootlike structure of certain fungi, such as the honey fungus Armillaria mellea , consisting of a dense mass of hyphae

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhizomorph¹

First recorded in 1840–50; rhizo- + -morph

Example Sentences

“So there’s a lot of demolition. A lot of the wood is fairly destroyed. Then you need to track down the rhizomorphs, the roots that are pulling in the water, usually from the soil.”

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Black, stringy rhizomorphs grow through the soil into the roots and trunk of the tree and attack the wood.

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Vargas, R. & Allen, M. F. Dynamics of fine root, fungal rhizomorphs, and soil respiration in a mixed temperate forest: integrating sensors and observations.

Read more on Nature

Muskat found a rhizomorph at the bottom of our tree, but the healthy-looking wood and the dead-looking mushroom suggested it wouldn’t glow.

Read more on Seattle Times

Mr. Muskat found a rhizomorph at the bottom of our tree, but the healthy-looking wood and the dead-looking mushroom suggested it wouldn’t glow.

Read more on New York Times